Dana Campbell Saylor is the CEO of Arizona YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix, an organization dedicated to eliminating discrimination and promoting peace and justice for all. Here, AFM interviews Saylor on their programs, the upcoming 2014 Tribute to Leadership Gala, and how they continue to empower women all over the Valley every day.

AFM: How does the Arizona YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix help women from all around the Valley?

DS: We are the oldest women's organization in Arizona, and strive to eliminate discrimination and empower women to grow both personally and professionally. We want women to achieve their full potential, and we help them with our wide range of programs. We educate them on managing finances, and give them tools that help women learn not only how money works, but how to become self-sufficient and break the cycle of poverty. One of the women we have worked with was a single mom in the projects. We helped her develop goals, a budget, and credit to get out of debt and create a better life for her and her child. Last December, I was informed she bought her first home, and is exceeding the goals she made when she first began working with us. We are an organization that continues to care about the wellbeing of our clients.

AFM: What other programs do your mentors teach women about?

DS: We also have a Women's Empowerment Lecture series, where we deal with issues that women and their families face. We teach young women how to make better choices for themselves, and give them the confidence they need, for example, in a job interview. Unlike men, women have the feeling of being so happy to have received a job offer at all, that they do not possess the skills or self-esteem to negotiate a starting salary. We support giving women the knowledge and skills it takes to succeed in the professional world.

AFM: Tell us about the upcoming Tribute to Leadership Gala.

DS: On Feb. 1, we will be hosting our annual gala at the Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix where we recognize outstanding individuals in our community who embody the YW's mission of eliminating discrimination and giving women the tools they need to feel empowered. A few of our 2014 Tribute to Leadership Honorees include Mrs. McCain of the McCain Institute, and Chevy Humphrey of the Arizona Science Center. For a full list of our honorees, please visit our website at www.ywcaaz.org. This event is our main fundraiser for other popular programs that we offer, such as the 'Meals on Wheels' program where we deliver warm and fresh food to the elderly and disabled every day.

Individual tickets are $350, or a table of eight for $3500. To order tickets, contact Regina Edwards at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .